US3828835A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Delimbing method and apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-08-16
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Granted: 1974-08-13
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Expires: 1993-08-16
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for removing limbs from trees in which a roller is mounted for vertical displacement on a skidder or other vehicle and operates during successive passes of the vehicle over a plurality of generally parallel arranged felled trees to crush or strip the branches from above and below the trunks.
Inventors
- 👤 J Cross
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:37
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G23/00; A01G23/02; A01G23/095
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for delimbing a plurality of felled trees comprising the steps of: bending the upwardly extending branches of said trees in a first direction, bringing a roller into a pressured engagement with the upper surface of the trunks of said trees, rolling said trees along a second direction, said second direction being the opposite direction of said first direction, whereby the bending of the branches in said first direction causes an initial fracture adjacent the joint of said upwardly extending branches with said trunks of said trees and said pressured rolling in said second direction completes said initial fracture of said upwardly extending branches and simultaneously crushes downwardly extending branches beneath said trunk at a point adjacent their junction with said trunk.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for delimbing a plurality of felled trees comprising the steps of: bending the upwardly extending branches of said trees in a first direction, bringing a roller into a pressured engagement with the upper surface of the trunks of said trees, rolling said trees along a second direction, said second direction being the opposite direction of said first direction, whereby the bending of the branches in said first direction causes an initial fracture adjacent the joint of said upwardly extending branches with said trunks of said trees and said pressured rolling in said second direction completes said initial fracture of said upwardly extending branches and simultaneously crushes downwardly extending branches beneath said trunk at a point adjacent their junction with said trunk.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
194 words
A method for delimbing a plurality of felled trees utilizing a vehicle having vertically adjustable roller means attached thereto comprising the steps of: positioning a plurality of said felled trees generally parallel with one another and in a manner to have the top and butt end of one of said trees adjacent the top and butt end of one of the other of said trees so that all of said trees lie in the same general direction from butt end to top, straddling said felled trees with said vehicle, moving said vehicle in a direction from said top ends to said butt ends, while engaging the upwardly extending branches of said trees at a point above the junction of said upwardly extending branches with the trunks of said trees thereby causing an initial fracture adjacent said junction, lowering said roller means into pressured engagement with the upper surface of said trunks, moving said vehicle in a direction opposite said first direction to cause said roller means to complete the initial fracture of said upwardly extending branches while simultaneously crushing downwardly extending branches beneath said trunk at a point adjacent their junction with said trunk.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
194 words
A method for delimbing a plurality of felled trees utilizing a vehicle having vertically adjustable roller means attached thereto comprising the steps of: positioning a plurality of said felled trees generally parallel with one another and in a manner to have the top and butt end of one of said trees adjacent the top and butt end of one of the other of said trees so that all of said trees lie in the same general direction from butt end to top, straddling said felled trees with said vehicle, moving said vehicle in a direction from said top ends to said butt ends, while engaging the upwardly extending branches of said trees at a point above the junction of said upwardly extending branches with the trunks of said trees thereby causing an initial fracture adjacent said junction, lowering said roller means into pressured engagement with the upper surface of said trunks, moving said vehicle in a direction opposite said first direction to cause said roller means to complete the initial fracture of said upwardly extending branches while simultaneously crushing downwardly extending branches beneath said trunk at a point adjacent their junction with said trunk.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A combination delimbing apparatus for use with a skidder or other vehicle having spaced vertically adjustable support arms comprising pusher means, means for mounting said pusher means on said support arms, an elongated roller, and means for rotatably mounting said roller adjacent the rear and lower portion of said pusher means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A combination delimbing apparatus for use with a skidder or other vehicle having spaced vertically adjustable support arms comprising pusher means, means for mounting said pusher means on said support arms, an elongated roller, and means for rotatably mounting said roller adjacent the rear and lower portion of said pusher means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The structure of claim 3 in which said means for mounting said roller adjacent the rear and lower portion of said pusher means includes hanger brackets carried by said support arms and bearing means on said brackets for mounting said roller.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The structure of claim 3 in which said pusher means includes a blade.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-12 | 1978-02-11 | 1978-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-12 | 1982-02-11 | 1982-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-12 | 1986-02-11 | 1986-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |